Countless donors support Toy for Joy’s mission to raise $150k

Date: 12/18/2023

Year in and year out, children across Western Massachusetts have come to know they can count on the Springfield trucking firm All States Transport Inc. to remember them.

This year is no exception.

“We are committed to the cause,” says William “Billy” Kingston, owner of the company that has not only become an annual donor to the Toy for Joy campaign, but has increased its participation and generosity in recent years.
Toy for Joy is hoping to raise $150,000 by Christmas eve to cover the costs of delivering toys and books to children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. It is a collaboarative effort by the Salvation Army with The Republican, Reminder Publishing, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas J. Cocchi leads the list of community partners involved in the campaign.

This year, All States Transport contributed $7,500 to the effort. Not only has the company lent its support to Toy for Joy, but its annual donations have more than tripled from just a few years ago. The need to support the community is as great or greater than ever, and that is not a responsibility the freight services company takes lightly.

“We are thankful to our customers as well as our staff,” said Kingston, whose business maintains offices in Springfield and Miami, Florida. “They make it possible for us to make contributions to this and other worthy causes. Toy for Joy is one of those commitments we always want to support.”

Kingston added, “This has been a good year for us, not quite what it had been in previous years, but still good. And as they say, if the good lord is willing and the creek don’t rise, we’ll be there, doing this, for a long, long time.”

Toy for Joy has been supporting children for a long time as well. This is the 101st year of the campaign to bring Christmas gifts and books to children who might otherwise be left out of the joyous feeling of receiving some special during the holiday season.

Like other businesses, groups and individuals who support the drive, Kingston’s staff of 22 employees knows the value of making sure these youngsters and families in need experience the joy of the holiday season.
Connecticut Valley Artesian Well Co. is another business which has been a regular donor to the campaign, sending along a gift of $500 this year.

The family of Springfield police officer Michael Schiavina is continuing a tradition his late mother began following his death 38 years ago. Schiavina and his partner, Alain Beauregard, were shot and killed on duty after making a traffic stop off State Street in November 1985. His brother and sisters contributed $100 to this year’s campaign in memory of him, as well as their parents, Anne and Caesar Schiavina.

Gift distribution is under way this week. Each registered child receives a high-quality toy. Literacy is an important component of the campaign, so they each receive an age-appropriate book as well. Distribution is handled from the Salvation Army locations in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield.

The coupon published with this story may be used to submit a contribution by mail to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Donors can also make online contributions at SalvationArmyma.org/toyforjoydonation.
— Ron Chimelis
The Republican

Here is the latest list of contributions:

Peace on earth, from Roger and Barbara $100
In loving memory of Mike from Jeanne $30
In memory of Marilyn “Mama” Frye. Love, Lynne and Alan $25
In honor of Fotini Laware. Love, Yiayia, Papou and Theo Tommy $50
In memory of Mike and Gerry $50
Merry Christmas from Jim, Judy, Chris, Kim, Nicholas, Josh, Jeff, Sarah and Casey $300
In memory of my mother Julia Skowera $50
In loving memory of my guardian angel, Marcia - JMC $5
In memory of our parents: Bill, Adele, Al and Stella - AGC and JMC $5
Missing you, Scott - AGC and JMC $5
Thank you, St. Jude, for prayers granted - JMC $5
For happiness and good health of our wonderful family - AGC and JMC $10
In honor of Georgia who has brought us so much happiness - AGC and JMC $10
In memory of John Foy and Sandy and Mary. Love, Peggy and Liz $25
Anonymous $150
Happy heavenly 26th birthday Donesha Marie Lynch from Mommy $25
Loving memory of Carl Duso $100
Wesotych Swiqt everyone, from Alfred $22
In memory of Tommy Egan Jr. from 14 special children $25
In memory of Nanny and Gramp from 13 special Grandchildren $25
In memory of Bernie and Ernie Cardin $50
From Mary $100
In memory of Helen and Ernest Peterson from the Peterson Family $50
Happy holidays from Marianne and Bruce $200
From Carolyn $50
In memory of my husband Richard, from Barbara $25
In loving memory of three sisters - Tillie, Orpha and Minnie Mae $75
Merry Christmas everyone. Be kind $25
Mom, Emily Witaszek, still near and caring for me. Love, Pam $30
In loving memory of my parents, George and Helen Liptak $100
In memory of Jason McDiarmid who left us way to soon and his grandparents George and Rita McDiarmid $125
In memory of Arthur DeForge $25
Love always wins $40
In memory of Barb from Carol $25
In memory of my parents Harold and Hazel Donahue $25
Golden sunset wishes for Christopher Bizilj $25
In loving memory of Michael Schiavina and his parents Anne and Caesar Schiavina. Loved and missed by Kathy, Mark and Maura $100
In loving memory of our deceased family members, from Jim and Sue $100
In memory of Bob and Julie Cross $30
In loving memory of John and Josephine Szumny, from their Family $25
In loving memory of Jill Stefanik, C. June and U. Eddie $25
In memory of Larry, Doris and Roberta Brundrett, from Elaine and Dawn $50
Merry Christmas Charlotte, Brendan, Lilly, Teddy, James and Connie $100
In lieu of Christmas gifts, for our daughter Doreen, son Michael, our 6 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and to all their families from Papa and Nanny $200
For Joe Conway and Mary Brown. Love, Chris $25
Thankful for our grandchildren Luca, Frankie, Madison and Jack $25
Merry Christmas Grandpa and Meaney Trombly. Love and miss you, Chris, Matt, Justin and Lindsey $100
Anonymous $25
From Jane $400
In memory of David DeChristopher $40
In memory of Eynda Nofth $5
In loving memory of Jason McDiarmid who we lost on Nov. 13, 2023, and who is loved and deeply missed. $20
In loving memory of Rita and George McDiarmid who made every Christmas special $20
Love and happiness to our grandchildren and great grandchildren, from Jim and Sue $100
Merry Christmas from Margaret $25
From Judith $25
Merry Christmas Johnny and Christine. Love, Mom and Dad $150
In memory of our parents who gave us wonderful Christmases, from Dennis and Linda $100
In memory of Tiz and Gus. Love, Aimee $25
In celebration of our grandson’s 18th birthday on Dec. 15, 2023 $50
In memory of Bill and Don from Sandra $25
Edward, Antoinette, Carolyn $20
From Diane $25
In loving memory of family and friends no longer with us. Love, VN $25
Merry Christmas to a child in need from Christine $30
Merry Christmas kids, from Jeff $25
In memory of Baby Izzy. $25
From Jane and Ted $200
In memory of Kevin and Glenn. Love, Dad and Mom $100
Happy holidays Taj, the Wonder Cat $50
In loving memory of the Leclerc and Swanlund Family $50
In memory of Tanner Simpkiss from brother Hunter and family $25
Christmas blessings from all the Harlows from West Springfield $100
In memory of family and friends no longer with us, from Gerry and Linda $100
In memory of Bill and Helen Copeland from Mary Ann $50
In memory of Gladys P, Bernie, Kent, Jean and Gladys M. $50
Merry Christmas from Marcia and Jim $100
Sharing our many blessings, from Rick and Irene $500
In memory of Frank and Rosalie Pouliot, from Bob and Pat $100
In memory of Tom and Agnes Kelly, from Bob and Pat $100
In memory of Donnie, Dave, and the Cowboy, from Bob and Pat $100
Our commitment continues to help needy families smile during Christmas from All States Transport Inc. $7,500
Wishing you happy holidays from Connecticut Valley Artesian Well Co. $500
Anonymous $1,000
In loving memory of Peg Buckley. Miss you. Love, Margaret $50
In memory of Bronislaw and Josephine Kasperek and Romeo U and Prisilla Martin $20
Honoring Chuck, Carrie, Will, Ajay and Brin $200
Thanksgiving for family, health and love $50
Merry Christmas from Lauren, Lee, Andrew, Katie and Loretta $100
Remembering the joy Michael Cooley shared with the Sandwich Ministry $15
In memory of our cat, Jubilee from Mike and Dee $25
In loving memory of Gary J. and Edwin W. Allen $25
In memory of all the family we have lost $100
In memory of deceased loved ones from Richard and Ellen $50
Thank you St. Jude $200
In loving memory of Annie and Feedo who made Christmas special $50
In loving memory of Andrew, Santina and Frances Rizzo $50
In loving memory of Mike and Lee Roy Rinehart $50
Anonymous $30
The family of Bob Jaszek, Merry Christmas $100
Ellen $25
Robert $100
Merry Christmas in memory of Mary Phelon from the Phelon family $1,000
In memory of our moms, Mary and Camille, with love $50
In memory of John Lonergan $25
In the memory of Melissa George recently passed on Dec. 5, 2023, and Carlos Astacio, passed on Dec. 23, 1990, 33 years ago, two wonderful people that made this world a better place. We miss you, and we love you forever and a day from your sister and friend $35
Ned $100
In memory of Michael Cooley who was a beloved volunteer in our Sandwiches for the Homeless Ministry $100
In memory of our grandparents and Toy For Joy volunteers, Maurice W. and Marion M. Dickey $200
In memory of my father who gave so much of himself to his family and the community at Christmas and throughout the whole year. Love, your daughter Joanne $25
For the children $500
Dennis $10
In memory of Michael Manley $25
In memory Lynn Whipple $100
For all Boppy’s Angels $25
Happy Holidays $25
Merry Christmas $100
Amy $25
Philip $150
Sheri $100
Light up your smile from Florence Dental Care. Happy holidays $122
Happy Christmas for all the children $25
Merry Christmas, in memory of Mom, Dad and John P. $25
Terrence $25
In memory of Ingrid and Fred Quagliaroli, Granville $2
From Ziggy Emmie $20
Michael Cooley Fund $15
In memory of the Macri, Valego, Fazio, Cianflone, Grasso and Pedulla Families $15
In loving memory of Marie, Bill, John, Pete and Tom $10
In memory of my Bingo Buddies Mona, Louise, Joyce and Pat $10
In memory of Jeff, Jason and Jordan $10
In loving memory of Nonno Frank Lacopo by grandson Frankie $25
In loving memory of Nonna Norina and Nonno Frank Mancuso by grandson Frankie $25
In memory of my parents who loved Christmas and honoring my grandchildren Matthew, Maya, James and Noah $100
Enjoy the magic of Christmas and all through the year $25
May we always remember that Christmas is for the children from Parris $100
In loving memory of my husband Ed from Cecile $40
In loving memory of Matthew from David and Donna $40
Jean and Yeshvant $150
Have a wonderful Christmas from Phyllis $100
In memory of Diann, Jenny, Art, Eleanor and Joe $30
In memory of Pete with love from Peg $50
In memory of Munchkin from Sandra $25
In memory of loved ones from Sandra $100
In memory of Pops and Ma - for the kids, ML $200
From Ellie $10
Merry Christmas from Ray and Gerri Crowley $50
In loving memory of my husband-dad James Fitzpatrick $50
Thank you St. Jude, BB $25
So that no child shall go without on Christmas, Leona, Charles, Ronald Perrault $100
In loving memory of ARP and JCP $50
In loving memory of my grandson Tony Caracciolo. Love, Grandma $25
Best wishes for the holidays from Ted and Judi Strzempko $25
Love to all children $20
In loving memory of Carol Meaney and Georgianna Marshall $25
In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Meaney $25
In loving memory of a dear classmate, Darlene Gorneault $30
In memory of Loren from Norma $100
In memory of Victor and Jennie Paluck and Stephanie Collins, from family $100
In memory of Mom, Dorothy Beauregard $25
In loving memory of deceased members of Hagan, Heroux, Lynch and Meissner families $50
Thank you St. Jude for prayers answered. C.O. $50
In memory of our parents Fred and Audrey Consolmagno $25
In memory of Eleanor, George and Margaret Reilly. Love, Kathy $50
Merry Christmas from Kathy $50
Love you so much Ava and Joey. Joy to the world. Mimi and Pop Pop $50
In loving memory of Ron Magrone. Merry Christmas! Love, Tara $25
In memory of Jill Stefanik $10
Happy holidays from Robert, Mary, Tiger and Button $25
Merry Christmas-the Bombardier family, We miss you Roland $20
In loving memory of my wife Sandra Metras. Miss you, Kevin $100
In memory of many wonderful Christmas Eves, Mary and Kev $25
In memory of my Mom and Dad “Chickie and Eddie” Love, Sharon $25
Merry Christmas from Tony & Lynne $50
In loving memory of Jill Stefanik. XO, Love, Mom & Dad $25
In memory of all those lives lost in war $100
In memory of Barbara Young, Joann and Nick Phillips $20
Anonymous $25
In honor of Dr. Tom, our beloved son and brother. $100
In memory of all my deceased family and friends from Kathy $25
Merry Christmas - Maintain $100
Merry Christmas from Cecilia, Tom, Kendra and Kelsey $30
In loving memory of Frank J. Kenney Sr. Forever in my heart $20
Peace and love to all $50
In loving memory of David and Matthew. Love, Mom $50
With gratitude for the gift of our parents, children and grandchildren $250
Every little bit helps. Aspen and Harrison $25
In memory of Louis, Ella, Linda and Sandie, greatly loved and missed. $50
St. George Cathedral Philoptochos $200
For all the wonderful grandkids from Katherine $500
In memory of Donald Phillips, who brought joy to Christmas. $100
In loving memory of my husband Delt Learned $30
Merry Christmas to all, wishes for a peaceful new year from Steven $250

Received $22,841
Total to date $49,230
Still needed $100,770